Edo needs a competent, credible manager as governor, says Obaseki

·Benin palace chiefs endorse Ize-Iyamu

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Edo State governorship election, Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state needed a competent, credible and hardworking governor to efficiently manage the state resources and execute people-oriented programmes.

Obaseki made the assertion on Saturday at an interactive session with civil society organisations in the state. He noted that with declining oil revenue and reduction in federal allocation to states, fresh ideas were needed in the running of government.

According to him, “the political base can no longer be restricted to people with traditional political anthem; we now need to infuse fresh blood, thinking and resources into our politics, and that is what people like me came into the political scene to characterise.”

I believe that I fit into that new paradigm of governance. With a successful career of over 30 years as an investment banker and wealth management expert, and the valuable experience I have garnered as chairman of the state’s economy and strategy team in the last eight years, I am very clear on the direction that we should be looking in order to move the state to the next level of infrastructural development, industrial growth and technological advancement.”

“Lagos has shown itself as a model, and I don’t see why we can’t have other models in Nigeria with Edo blazing the trail as a mini-sized Nigerian state that can survive as a country. To achieve this status, we require competent, credible and hardworking managers, and that is what I am.”

Meanwhile, some Benin palace chiefs have thrown their weights behind the gubernatorial ambition of the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, describing him as the most prepared person to rule the state.

The palace chiefs, who were joined by traditional priests (Igiehon-Ohen), businessmen and women and professionals, announced the endorsement under the auspices of a socio-cultural group, Nedoghama Nedo.

At the end of meeting held at the weekend, members of the group leb by the Eson of Benin Kingdom, Chief Amos Osunbor, said the PDP candidate has the capacity to restore the lost glory of the state.